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If you live in Tampa Bay, then you’ve probably seen plenty of barrel tile roofs. Barrel tile roofing is the most popular kind of tile roofing across Florida, in large part because their overlapping design helps keep water away from your home. But if you’re considering getting your first tile roof, then you probably have a lot of questions about barrel tile roofing pros and cons.
That’s what we’re here for! Classic Roofing and Construction has been Tampa Bay’s go-to roofing company for barrel tiles for more than two decades. And over our years of helping local homeowners, we’ve learned how to give clear answers to all the biggest questions about barrel tiles. So keep reading to get answers on barrel tile pros and cons, barrel tile life expectancy, and more!
What Is Barrel Tile Roofing?
Barrel tiles are named after their distinctive shape, which is rounded like the side of a barrel. This design has been used for centuries, having been used in the Mediterranean, Asia, and other distant parts of the world. But while this roofing technology may have deep roots, barrel tile roofing has certainly been updated for modern safety needs.
Barrel tiles usually come in either concrete or clay, with clay generally being stronger but also more expensive. And these roofing tiles adhere together via an interlocking pattern which allows them to seamlessly connect without disrupting their classic aesthetic.
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In Florida, homeowners choose barrel tiles for their beautiful looks as well as their strong wind resistance. Even in major storms, it’s rare for barrel tiles to be removed by high winds. This makes them a great option not only for style but also for durability and performance.
With this brief overview in mind, let’s take a look at the barrel tile roofing pros and cons that you need to know.
Barrel Tile Roofing Pros and Cons
Like all other roofing materials, barrel roofing tiles have their ups and downs. To help you decide if barrel roofing tiles are for you, we’re going to look at both the good and the bad with this luxury roofing material.
Pro: Barrel Tiles Are Durable
In addition to their wind resistance, barrel tile roofs are also resistant to mold, fire, and water. And this strength and durability creates an exceptional barrel tile roof life expectancy. Barrel tile longevity depends on the type of material it’s made of, but in any case, it’s quite a long time.
Concrete barrel tile roofs can last for 40-50 years on average. And this is already a great number when compared to asphalt shingles that rarely last longer than 25 years under the best of circumstances. But clay barrel tile roofs last even longer—sometimes for a century or more! This makes clay barrel tile roofs the true definition of a “forever roof.”
Con: Barrel Tile Roofing Is Expensive
Barrel tile roofing is a lot of wonderful things, but cheap is not one of them. Since they last so much longer than roofing materials like shingles, they’re also significantly more expensive.
The good news, however, is that in the world of tile roofing, barrel tiles are relatively affordable when compared to French or Scalloped roofing tiles. The price of roofing materials is always changing, but generally, concrete barrel roofing tiles generally cost about five to six dollars per square foot. Clay barrel tiles, on the other hand, could cost ten dollars per square foot or more.
This means that, for a home with a 3,000-square-foot roof, barrel tile roof costs could range from $15,000 to $30,000 or more.
Pro: Barrel Tile Roofs Require Little Maintenance
A lot of Florida homeowners want a “set it and forget it” type of roof. And if that sounds like you, then barrel tile roofing could be exactly what you’re looking for.
In addition to rarely needing replaced, barrel tile roofs don’t need much maintenance. Barrel tiles repel water and are extremely difficult for wind to knock loose, so investing in barrel tiles creates a robust, secure roofing system that doesn’t need frequent repairs. This is very unlike a shingle roof, which could need repairs as often as every year.
Con: Barrel Tile Roofing Installation Is Difficult
Barrel tiles are strong and resilient, but they are not easy to install. Unlike asphalt shingles, which can be installed easily and simply, it takes a lot of skill to properly install a tile roof. And that means you need to be careful when choosing a tile roofing company in Florida.
A poorly installed barrel tile roof can lead to leaks, damaged tiles, or even structural damage in severe cases. Barrel tiles are heavy, and if your home can’t support their weight, you could find yourself with more roofing problems than you had before you got your new roof.
At Classic, we make sure this doesn’t happen. We’re experienced local roofers who never use subcontractors, so you can have faith in every single person working on your barrel tile roof replacement.
Pro: Barrel Tiles Come With Options
Aesthetically speaking, barrel tile roofing is incredibly versatile. While barrel tiles typically come in classic tones of brown or red, these tiles can be painted to achieve any color that fits your vision for your home. Bear in mind that if you decide to paint your barrel tiles, the paint will likely need occasional touch-ups throughout the lifetime of your roof.
But barrel tiles have more versatility than just color options. They’re also available in two styles: high and medium. High barrel tiles, also called Spanish tiles, have a semi-cylindrical appearance that gives them an S shape. These are classic, timeless barrel tiles that fit well with historical-looking buildings.
Medium barrel tiles, on the other hand, are a more contemporary alternative. They have a gentler curve, which better complements more contemporary aesthetics. So no matter what your vision is for your barrel tile roof, there’s an option that can meet your needs.
Barrel Tile Roofing Pros & Cons Video
Your Local Tile Roofing Experts
Clearly, there are some important pros and cons of barrel tile roofing. This means that you’re the only one who can decide if this tile roofing option is right for your home. But if you’ve looked everything over and you’re interested in learning more about barrel tile roofing options, then Classic is ready to help.
We’re a licensed, GAF Master Elite-certified tile roofing company based in Pinellas County, and we’re proud to serve most of the state of Florida. With hundreds of reviews across 20 years of service, we’ve proven that we’re the best tile roofers in the area.
See for yourself when you get your free roofing estimate. Our barrel tile roofing estimates are comprehensive and come with no obligation, so give Classic a chance and see why we’ve been the top tile roofing professionals in Tampa Bay for 20 years and counting.
